Closure means for pneumatic carrier

ABSTRACT

A closure assembly for pneumatic tube carriers that enables quick attachment and release of a liner therein for both closing the carrier and permitting easy withdrawal of the contents thereof.

United States Patent [191 Vandiveer 1 May 15, 1973 [541 CLOSURE MEANSFOR PNEUMATIC CARRIER [76] Inventor: John C. Vandiveer, 42 05 BenjestownRoad, Memphis, Tenn. 38127 [22] Filed: Oct. 14, 1970 [21] Appl. No.:80,753

[52] US. Cl ..243/35, 243/39 [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 51/06 [58]FieldofSearch ..243/3235,39; 220/17. 24; 206/3 [56] References Cited VUNITED STATES PATENTS 760,471 5/1904 Murphy ..243/35 PrimaryExaminerEvon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Merle F. MalffeiAttorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B, Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT Aclosure assembly for pneumatic tube carriers that enables quickattachment and release of a liner therein for both closing the carrierand permitting easy withdrawal of the contents thereof. 1

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PA'HiHHU 3.733.037

John C. 'Vandi veer 1N VIENTOR.

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CLOSURE MEANS FOR PNEUMATIC CARRIER With the increased use of pneumatictube distribution systems in stores, hospitals and other suchorganizations where rapid transmittal of small parts, money or suppliesis necessary, and the subsequent improvements thereof, drawbacks yetremain, particularly with regard to the difficulties associated with theclosing of the tube carriers as well as the opening thereof and thewithdrawal of the contents thereof. Conventionally, a tube carrier is acylindrical container with a releasable closure means at one end andappropriate sealing means to produce the vacuum in the tube in which itis carried to propel it therealong. This closure means is usually a snapor buckle-type arrangement which secures a plug in the end of thecylinder. This then requires an unfastening of the snap or other closuremeans and withdrawal of the plug, after which the contents, particularlyif paper or other expandible material, must be fished out from theinterior. Obviously, this is an inefficient and time-consumingprocedure.

The present invention relates to a device combining the functions ofeffectively closing a pneumatic tube carrier and at the same timefacilitating the removal of the contents of the carrier. The devicecomprises an article receiving liner with an end cap sufficient to closethe end of the carrier when the liner is detachably locked into positionwithin the carrier. This end cap incorporates a liner gripping fingerhole or bore for manipulating the liner, while a pin-type fastenerprojects centrally from a plate at the second end of the liner forquick-release spring-locked retention by the carrier itself to retainthe liner within the carrier. With the liner thus forming the closure,the quick release of the liner and the withdrawal of it both opens thecarrier and removes the contents therefrom. The liner closuredevice iseasily adapted to existing pneumatic tube carriers as well as forincorporation in new manufacture thereof.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a simple butunique manner of closing a pneumatic tube carrier.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple but uniquedevice to remove the contents of a pneumatic tube carrier.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a quick butpositive locking and closure means for a pneumatic tube carrier.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pneumatic tube carrier andthe liner prior to insertion therein.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the fastener end of the liner inserted in thepneumatic tube carrier.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an end view ofa carrier incorporating a variation of theliner.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6--6 ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7--7 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG.6.

Referring now to the drawings, numeral 10 generally designates aconventional pneumatic tube carrier modified to accept the subjectdevice, and numeral 12 generally designates the subject closure means.The conventional pneumatic tube carrier 10 is readily available and doesnot form a part of this invention, and it should be understood that anysize or configuration pneumatic tube carrier will lend itself to themodifications necessary to utilize the instant device. The pneumatictube carrier 10 shown herein has the conventional cylindrical body 14closed at one end 16 and is equipped with an appropriate pneumatic seal18 that is held in place by a bumper structure 20 positioned by a plate22 in a recess of the bumper structure 20 Screws 24 are received throughopenings in the plate 22, the bumper 20, the pneumatic seal 18 and theclosed end of the cylinder 16 to be received in appropriate threadedopenings in a plate 26 at the bottom of the cylinder. The other end ofthe pneumatic cylinder has the usual bumper or skid unit 28 attachedtherearound.

The modifications necessary to the basic tube carrier include a bore 30extending through the plate 22, the seal 18, the body end 16 and theplate 26 in the bottom of the cylinder. Mounted in a recess 32in thebumper structure 20 adjacent the bore 30, is a hairpin-type torsionspring 34. The anchor or base leg 36 of the hairpin spring 34 extendsthrough the bumper structure 20 and an upturned end thereof 38 isembedded in the bumper to anchor it therein. The free leg 40 of thespring extends through an opening adjacent the surface of the plate 22to extend thereacross to thebore 30 to end in a loop 42 thereon which iseasily engaged by a persons finger to disengage the lock. A U-slhapedlimiting bumper 44 is attached over the free leg 40 of the springbetween the bore 30 and the inner circumference of the bumper structure20 to prevent the spring being overextended or pulled free of itsmounting. As discussed herein, the modifications necessary to be made tothe conventional tube carriers 10 are comparatively simple in nature andeasy to accomplish.

The locking tray or liner assembly 12 has a circular end plate 46 with aprojecting headed, pin-type rigid fastener 48 attached at the centerthereof, and a similar circular rear end cap 50 with an enlargedcircular bore 52 therethrough. The outer end or head of fastener 48 istapered and generally bullet-shaped in configuration for cammingengagement with the free leg 40 of spring 34. A peripheral recess orgroove 49 is provided in the fastener 48 inward of the head to receivethe spring to lock the fastener in place. The inner surface of the rearend cap 50 has a covering of resilient rubberized canvas or other suchresilient material with two crossed diagonal cuts 55 forming flexiblenormally closed flaps aligned with the bore 52, whose function will bedisclosed hereinafter. The caps 46 and 50 are configured and sized tofit snugly within the pneumatic tube carrier 10. The caps are connectedby a partial cylindrical section 56 extending therebetween. Thecylindrical section 56 completely surrounds and encloses the cap 46 atthe front end thereof, and changes to a semicylindrical section at therear cap thereof. There are perforations 58 in the cap 46 andperforations 60 in the cylindrical section 56 to prevent the formationof pressure upon insertion of the device 12 and vacuum behind the cap 46upon removal thereof. The length of the partial cylindrical section 56is such that when the front circular plate 46 engages the plate 26 inthe pneumatic tube carrier the rear cylindrical end cap 50 will besubstantially coplanar with the open end of the tube carrier. As can bereadily seen from the structure disclosed herein, the liner 12 can havethe contents desired to be transported first inserted in the traythereof, and the liner 12 then inserted into the tube carrier 10. Byfirmly inserting the liner 12 into the carrier the headed pin-typefastener 48 will extend through the bore 30 at the end of the tubecarrier and the free leg 40 of the spring 34 will engage in the groove49 in the fastener 48 as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. No rotationalalignment is necessary due to the central location of the fastener 48and bore 30. Further when engaged, the fastener 48 cannot be accidentlyreleased. The user will then insert his finger into the bore 52 and intogripped engagement by the cutout flaps to enable him to exert a slightoutward pull on the liner, thereby checking to see that the fastener 48has been firmly engaged. The loaded tube carrier is then ready to besent to whatever destination desirable in the vacuum tube system. Whenarriving at the destination, the person receiving the tube carrier willinsert his finger into the 52 bore and into gripped engagement by thecutouts so as to enable him to exert an outward pull on the liner whilereleasing the free leg 40 of the spring, thereby withdrawing the trayand the contents therein from the tube carrier. As can be seen from thisdescription, the operation of the pneumatic tube system is not changed,but the insertion of the contents into the tube carrier and securing ittherein is greatly simplified and speeded up.

Oftentimes valuable items such as jewelry or money, or narcotics areshipped in pneumatic tube systems, such as the device set forth hereinis intended for. In such applications, it would be desirable if the tubecarrier could be safeguarded against pilferage or tampering. The deviceas set forth herein lends itself to such security measures. A simpletumbler lock 62 can be mounted adjacent the circumference of the rearend cap 50, so that the locking tongue 64 thereof could be turned into aposition to engage a groove 66 cut into the inner circumference of thetube body 14. With such an arrangement only qualified personnel atselected stations on the pneumatic system would have keys to unlock thetube carriers. With such a locking device available for use in pneumatictube carriers, they would be appropriate for even broader applicationswhere security is mandatory.

The modification of the device shown in FIGS. through 8 uses the sametray or liner structure as the device of FIGS. 1 through 4, butincorporates a different type latching mechanism. Where components aresubstantially alike 100 is added to the reference numeral. Themodification set forth herein has a metal disk 68 mounted between thebase 116 of the cylindrical tube carrier and the pneumatic sealingassembly 118. The bore 130 of the modification extends from the interiorof the cylindrical body 114 through the plate 126, the metal disk 68,the pneumatic sealing assembly 118 and part way into the bumperstructure 120. The diameter of the bore 130 is of a size to receive theheaded, pin-type fastener 148 attached to the end cap 146 of the liner.A rectangular recess 70 is cut into the outside surface of the base 116to open against the metal disk 68. A substantially rectangular plate 72has a width to be received in the opening 70 and has a length shorterthan the opening to permit sliding therealong. A shaft 74 is attached toone end of the plate 72 and extends outwardly through an opening 76 inthe base 116 to extend beyond the periphery thereof. The shaft 74 has aknob 78 or other convenient abutment to facilitate the pushing thereonto move the rectangular plate 72 along the opening 70. A recess 80 iscut into the outside circumference of the base 116 concentric with theopening 76 to accommodate the head 78 to ensure that sufficient movementthereof can be accomplished. Diametrically opposite the opening 76 is asimilar opening 82 which receives a shaft 84 attached to the other endof the plate 72. A coil spring 86 is mounted on the shaft 84 between theend of the rectangular opening 70 and the plate 72. Thus the plate isbiased into a position to the right as shown in FIG. 8. This extends theshaft 74 and knob 78 thereon outside the circumference of the base 116.At this point it should be noted that the abutment or knob 78 does notextend beyond the circumference of the bumper structure as shown in FIG.7, thus avoiding inadvertent release by contact with the tubes of thevacuum system. Cut into the plate 72 is a pear-shaped opening 88 whoseone end has a diameter substantially the same as the reduced diameter ofthe groove 149 of the fastener. Thus when the plate 72 is biased intoits at rest position as shown in FIG. 8, the circumference 90 at thesmall end of opening 88 aligns with bore and will engage the groove 149of the headed pin-type fastener to hold it therein. When it is desiredto release the liner, the knob 78 is pushed moving the plate 72 to alignthe enlarged portion of the cutout 88 with bore 130 which will releasethe fastener 148 therefrom. The tray or liner structure used with thisvariation is substantially the same as the tray of the firstmodification herein, with the only change being a shorter lengthfastener required herein. Similarly, the locking device 62, if requiredby the installation, can be utilized with this modification as well. Theuse of the modification disclosed herein is substantially the same asthe first modification. The person desiring to send an article willdeposit it in the tray 112 and insert the tray or liner into the tubecarrier where the headed, pin-type fastener 148 will force the plate 72against the coil spring and the reduced circumference end of the opening88 will engage the groove 149 in the fastener 148 regardless of therotational orientation of the liner relative to the carrier, therebysecuring the liner in the carrier. The tube carrier and liner will thenbe sent through the system to wherever desired. The person receiving thetube carrier will then simply depress the knob 78, thereby releasing thefastener from the plate 72 and enabling a removal of the liner by aslight pull exerted on the gripped finger engaged with the other end ofthe liner.

The tray and fastener device as disclosed herein is simple in structureand lends itself to fabrication from any one of numerous materials. Itis obvious that the liner could be readily molded in one piece fromplastic, nylon or metal. Similarly, the basic parts thereof could be cutfrom sheet metal and assembled theretogether. The device disclosedherein has been adapted to a circular cross-section pneumatic system,but it is obvious that the system is readily adaptable to anycross-section pneumatic system. Also, the liner locking device can bemade in any size to accommodate any conventional pneumatic tube system.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in a pneumatic tube system, an elongated hollow carrier, saidcarrier being open at one end thereof and having a closed second end, anarticle receiving liner slidably insertable into and removable from saidcarrier, said liner having an inner end and an eluding a spring loadedretainer on said second end of the carrier and pin-like projectingmember means arranged on the inner end of said liner and extending inthe elongated direction of the carrier for a selective snap locking ofthe retainer to the member, and manipulating means comprising a fingerreceiving hole surrounded by resiliently flexible flaps which engage andgrip an inserted finger so as to releasably secure the liner to thefinger.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said retainer and said member arecentrally located and engageable regardless of the rotational positionof the liner within the carrier.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said retainer is slidably releasablefrom said member.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said member includes a peripheralrecess thereabout, said retainer engaging within said recess.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said spring loaded retainerincludes a plate provided with a pearshaped opening with one end havinga diameter substantially the same as a'mating portion of said member,and a spring normally biasing said plate toward engagement with saidmember.

6. For use in a pneumatic tube system, an elongated hollow carrier, saidcarrier being open at one end thereof and having a closed second end, anarticles receiving liner slidably insertable into and removable fromsaid carrier, said liner having an inner end and an outer end, fasteningmeans having cooperating components on said liner and said carrier foreffecting a releasable securing of said liner within said carrier upon alongitudinal sliding of said liner into said carrier and a positioningof the inner end of said liner juxtaposed the second end of saidcarrier, said fastening means including a spring loaded retainer on saidsecond end of the carrier and pin-like projecting member means arrangedon the inner end of said liner and extending in the elongated directionof the carrier for a selective snap locking of the retainer to themember, liner gripping and manipulating means at the outer end of theliner, said gripping and manipulating means being within the confines ofsaid liner, said gripping and manipulating means comprising a fingerreceiving hole surrounded by resiliently flexible flaps which engage andgrip an inserted finger so as to releasably secure the liner to thefinger.

7. For use in a pneumatic tube system, a hollow carrier open at a oneend thereof and closed at the other end, an article receiving linerclidably insertable into and removable from said carrier through theopen end, said liner having an inner end, fastening means havingcooperating components on the liner inner end and the carrier closed endfor effecting a releasable securing of said liner within said carrierupon an insertionof said liner into said carrier, said liner having anouter end positionable in general alignment with the open end of thecarrier upon an insertion of the liner into the carrier, said linergripping and manipulating means separate from the fastening means andarranged on the outer end portion of the liner for selectivelywithdrawing same from said carrier, said gripping and manipulating meanscomprising a finger receiving hole surrounded by resiliently flexibleflaps which engage and grip an inserted finger so as to releasablysecure the liner to the finger.

1. For use in a pneumatic tube system, an elongated hollow carrier, saidcarrier being open at one end thereof and having a closed second end, anarticle receiving liner slidably insertable into and removable from saidcarrier, said liner having an inner end and an outer end, fasteningmeans having cooperating components on said liner and said carrier foreffecting a releasable securing of said liner within said carrier upon alongitudinal sliding of said liner into said carrier and a positioningof the inner end of said liner juxtaposed the second end of saidcarrier, said fastening means including a spring loaded retainer on saidsecond end of the carrier and pin-like projecting member means arrangEdon the inner end of said liner and extending in the elongated directionof the carrier for a selective snap locking of the retainer to themember, and manipulating means comprising a finger receiving holesurrounded by resiliently flexible flaps which engage and grip aninserted finger so as to releasably secure the liner to the finger. 2.The invention of claim 1 wherein said retainer and said member arecentrally located and engageable regardless of the rotational positionof the liner within the carrier.
 3. The invention of claim 1 whereinsaid retainer is slidably releasable from said member.
 4. The inventionof claim 1 wherein said member includes a peripheral recess thereabout,said retainer engaging within said recess.
 5. The invention of claim 1,wherein said spring loaded retainer includes a plate provided with apear-shaped opening with one end having a diameter substantially thesame as a mating portion of said member, and a spring normally biasingsaid plate toward engagement with said member.
 6. For use in a pneumatictube system, an elongated hollow carrier, said carrier being open at oneend thereof and having a closed second end, an articles receiving linerslidably insertable into and removable from said carrier, said linerhaving an inner end and an outer end, fastening means having cooperatingcomponents on said liner and said carrier for effecting a releasablesecuring of said liner within said carrier upon a longitudinal slidingof said liner into said carrier and a positioning of the inner end ofsaid liner juxtaposed the second end of said carrier, said fasteningmeans including a spring loaded retainer on said second end of thecarrier and pin-like projecting member means arranged on the inner endof said liner and extending in the elongated direction of the carrierfor a selective snap locking of the retainer to the member, linergripping and manipulating means at the outer end of the liner, saidgripping and manipulating means being within the confines of said liner,said gripping and manipulating means comprising a finger receiving holesurrounded by resiliently flexible flaps which engage and grip aninserted finger so as to releasably secure the liner to the finger. 7.For use in a pneumatic tube system, a hollow carrier open at a one endthereof and closed at the other end, an article receiving liner clidablyinsertable into and removable from said carrier through the open end,said liner having an inner end, fastening means having cooperatingcomponents on the liner inner end and the carrier closed end foreffecting a releasable securing of said liner within said carrier uponan insertion of said liner into said carrier, said liner having an outerend positionable in general alignment with the open end of the carrierupon an insertion of the liner into the carrier, said liner gripping andmanipulating means separate from the fastening means and arranged on theouter end portion of the liner for selectively withdrawing same fromsaid carrier, said gripping and manipulating means comprising a fingerreceiving hole surrounded by resiliently flexible flaps which engage andgrip an inserted finger so as to releasably secure the liner to thefinger.